New Delhi: “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, a Madras High Court judge Thursday directed the court’s registrar to install CCTV cameras in his own judge chambers while passing an order in a case of alleged sexual harassment of a civil servant.
Justice S.M. Subramaniam’s order also strongly urged high-ranking public officials to install surveillance cameras inside official chambers and offices to avoid allegations of sexual abuse.
“This court strongly recommends to the Chief Secretary to Government…for installation of CCTV Cameras inside the official Chambers and office rooms of all the higher officials, in order to avoid all such allegations/complaints against the higher officials and to safeguard the interest of women officers and women employees from the offences of sexual harassment,” read Subramaniam’s order.
The registrar has been directed to install the CCTV cameras within Justice Subrmaniam’s chambers within two weeks.
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Case at hand
The high court order was passed on a plea by a woman IPS officer who had filed a sexual harassment complaint against her superior S. Murugan, joint director of Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
Citing provisions of the Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, the officer sought Murugan’s transfer to a non-sensitive post outside her department pending the inquiry of her complaint.
In a cross petition, Murugan challenged the constitution of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and sought to quash the proceedings initiated against him.
The woman officer reportedly filed the complaint against Murugan in August 2018. After the first ICC was challenged over the low rank of the officials on the committee, another ICC was formed. Murugan has challenged the constitution of the second ICC.
‘Matter of concern’
The high court expressed its displeasure at the way the officer’s complaint was handled. It observed that if a woman IPS officer was facing difficulties initiating action, it was a matter of concern.
“…This court has shown an anxious consideration that if a higher level Woman IPS Officer is unable to initiate action in respect of such allegations, then the plight of the woman employees, who all are working in subordinate cadres in various offices, organisations and Government Departments are certainly a great concern for everybody,” the court said.
The court directed the ICC to look in the allegations and follow appropriate procedures under the provisions of the Act. The court further directed the ICC to submit a copy of the report within two weeks.
The court also clarified that state authorities could initiate parallel criminal proceedings against the accused.
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Practice what you preach
While disposing off the plea, Justice Subramaniam made a general appeal to all superior officers to safeguard themselves and install surveillance cameras in their offices.
The judge pointed out that senior police officials of all cities “are preaching with responsibility that all the Residents, Apartment owners, Traders and others shall install the CCTV Cameras in their respective premises, enabling the Police Department to nab the offenders”.
The court, however, asked, “what about the offenders and Black Sheeps in the Police Offices, Chambers and Office Rooms of the higher officials and what measures are taken to nab the offenders and Black Sheeps inside the Police Department and other public offices and institutions etc?”